Richmond Heights mayor vetoes council's effort to seek legal counsel

The fate of three people looking to fill vacant positions in Richmond Heights could remain in limbo after Mayor Miesha Wilson Headen vetoed a bill that would have allowed City Council to seek legal counsel from the Walter Haverfield law firm.
Richmond Heights has been without a law director since May 14, when Headen fired R. Todd Hunt, who had been with the city since 1995. Council unanimously passed an ordinance May 27 that would have allowed them seek legal counsel from Walter Haverfield on an interim basis. Council President David Roche previously indicated that council would not vote on the possible appointment for the positions of acting service director, acting building commissioner and acting police prosecutor until they are able to seek a legal opinion.
Council can override the mayor’s veto with a majority vote at the next regular council meeting June 10.
The mayor’s veto comes as no surprise. Headen did not sign the ordinance after it was passed by council May 27 and at a special council meeting May 29, Headen told the council that she would likely veto the bill and was seeking an outside legal opinion.
“According to the Richmond Heights charter, only the mayor has the ability to appoint the law director,” Headen said. “That appointment is subject to confirmation by council by a majority vote. The way that 39-2014 (the ordinance passed by council May 27) reads, is that council is hiring the law director and that also only council has the power dismiss the law director. It is in my understanding that that is in conflict of the charter.”
Roche, however, disagrees with Headen.
“We’re not hiring, we’re not appointing,” Roche said. “We just want counsel. It’s a contract.”
According to the ordinance, Walter Haverfield LLC would be on retainer for $5,000 a month.
The law firm would review and draft legislation, give legal advice to various city officials and employees, including council members, the mayor and department heads, as well as attend meetings upon request. Additional services would be available upon written request at the rate of $150 an hour.
This is Headen’s second veto since taking office in December 2013. In March, she vetoed a line in the city’s 2014 budget related to funding for Greenwood Farm. Council successfully overrode that veto with a 6-1 vote. Only at-large Councilwoman Juanita Lewis voted against the override.